Souvenir (song)
Encyclopedia
"Souvenir" is a song written by Paul Humphreys
and Martin Cooper
of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
and released as the first single from their 1981 album Architecture & Morality
. Along with 1991's, "Sailing on the Seven Seas
", it is the band's highest-charting UK hit to date, reaching #3.
s of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes had been the initial inspiration for the song. Although displeased with the original version, they decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it previously.
The tune has a very strong synthesised melody, with a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. Although he is not the band's main singer, he was satisfied with his attempts nonetheless, and would do lead vocals for some of OMD's other well-known releases.
An extended version of the song (with an additional verse) was released as a 10" single and included as a bonus on the digitally remastered copies of Architecture & Morality.
Some copies of The Human League
's single "Love Action (I Believe in Love)
" were mispressed with Souvenir as the A-side.
The title of the song was used for a documentary DVD
about the reformed OMD, released in 2007 by Aspect Television. The song was originally titled "Choir Song" and the working title ‘Choir Song’ remained up until the final week for Peter Saville’s artwork delivery. Paul Humphreys stated that "The title Souvenir, came out of a conversation Andy had with Peter about the song with the deadline totally looming and the record company screaming, ‘What the hell’s it going to be called??"
album. The Amazon Version was recorded at Amazon Studios in Kirkby
as a possible single after Enola Gay, but that plan was dropped. Both songs are produced by OMD and can be found on the remastered re-issues of Architecture & Morality. Sacred Heart is also included on Navigation: The OMD B-Sides
.
and close to Stowes School in England
. It was an early MTV
favorite and is among OMD's more well-known videos.
Andy McCluskey
spends the entire video driving around in a classic red, convertible Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
, while Paul Humphreys is standing on a bridge while singing and leaning against the pillars of the bridge. The promo video is included on the video version of The Best of OMD
, the bonus DVD of the 2007 reissue of Architecture & Morality and the DVD included in the 2008 Compilation album Messages: Greatest Hits
.
. The 7" sleeve has a die-cut hole in the middle, revealing the label. On the label is a picture of a Düsseldorf
street scene. For the 10" this picture is printed on the sleeve. It was the first single released with OMD as the band name. The European releases have different artwork, some almost identical to the UK releases. A Canadian release of the 10" has green transparent vinyl.
released a 12" vinyl single with the Postcards from the Edge Mix by Brothers in Rhythm
.
In 1998 four remixes of the song were made by Moby
for the intended second disc of The OMD Singles
. The second disc was dropped, but the remixes appeared on various The OMD Remixes EPs. In 2003 the double disc version was released in France only, which included all four remixes of Souvenir.
The remixes are:
recorded a German version of the song in 1982, titled Und ein Engel fliegt in die Nacht. The Genie Queen used the main melody of Souvenir in their 1995 song What a Girl Goes Through. Paul Humphreys' new band Onetwo
plays the song regularly at gigs in the style of the Moby remix. Polish singer Ania
recorded the song as a bonus to her debut album Samotność po zmierzchu in 2004. American singer-songwriter State Shirt
recorded a cover version of the song in 2010.
A-side :
B-side :
10" single - UK DinDisc DIN 24-10
A-side :
B-side :
Paul Humphreys
Paul Humphreys is a British musician.-Life and career:He is best known as a member of synth pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark , which he founded with Andy McCluskey in 1978.He grew up on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England, during which time he developed his interest in German...
and Martin Cooper
Martin Cooper (artist)
Martin Cooper is a painter and a musician.-Musical career:From 1980 until 1989 Cooper was a member of the rock group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Prior to joining OMD, Cooper played the saxophone at some of their concerts, or they used his pre-recorded work. He also played with Dalek I Love...
of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
and released as the first single from their 1981 album Architecture & Morality
Architecture & Morality
Architecture & Morality is the third album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1981. It is the group's most commercially and critically successful album, selling over 3 million copies. Released just eighteen months after their debut album, it demonstrated both OMD's continuing musical...
. Along with 1991's, "Sailing on the Seven Seas
Sailing on the Seven Seas
"Sailing on the Seven Seas" is a 1991 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released from their album Sugar Tax. It marked a successful comeback for the band in the UK, where it peaked at number 3 in the charts...
", it is the band's highest-charting UK hit to date, reaching #3.
History
A tape consisting of slowed-down loopMusic loop
In electroacoustic music, a loop is a repeating section of sound material. Short sections of material can be repeated to create ostinato patterns...
s of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes had been the initial inspiration for the song. Although displeased with the original version, they decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it previously.
The tune has a very strong synthesised melody, with a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. Although he is not the band's main singer, he was satisfied with his attempts nonetheless, and would do lead vocals for some of OMD's other well-known releases.
An extended version of the song (with an additional verse) was released as a 10" single and included as a bonus on the digitally remastered copies of Architecture & Morality.
Some copies of The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
's single "Love Action (I Believe in Love)
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
"Love Action " is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League, released as a single in the UK in July 1981. It peaked at number three in the UK Singles Chart, the band's first Top 10 success....
" were mispressed with Souvenir as the A-side.
The title of the song was used for a documentary DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
about the reformed OMD, released in 2007 by Aspect Television. The song was originally titled "Choir Song" and the working title ‘Choir Song’ remained up until the final week for Peter Saville’s artwork delivery. Paul Humphreys stated that "The title Souvenir, came out of a conversation Andy had with Peter about the song with the deadline totally looming and the record company screaming, ‘What the hell’s it going to be called??"
The B-sides
There are two songs on the B-sides of the 7" and the 10" singles, Motion & Heart (Amazon Version) and Sacred Heart. The original version of Motion & Heart can be found on the OrganisationOrganisation (album)
-2003 remaster:# "Enola Gay" – 3:33# "2nd Thought" – 4:15# "VCL XI" – 3:50# "Motion and Heart" – 3:16# "Statues" – 4:30...
album. The Amazon Version was recorded at Amazon Studios in Kirkby
Kirkby
Kirkby is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in the metropolitan county of Merseyside in England. The town was developed from the 1950s through 1970s as a means to house the overspill of Liverpool. It is situated roughly north of Huyton, the administrative HQ of the borough and about...
as a possible single after Enola Gay, but that plan was dropped. Both songs are produced by OMD and can be found on the remastered re-issues of Architecture & Morality. Sacred Heart is also included on Navigation: The OMD B-Sides
Navigation: The OMD B-Sides
Navigation: The OMD B-Sides is a compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark . It was released in 2001 by Virgin Records and contains a variety of B-sides from their DinDisc and Virgin output.-Reception:...
.
Music video
The song's promo video was filmed in Blenheim ParkBlenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between...
and close to Stowes School in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was an early MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
favorite and is among OMD's more well-known videos.
Andy McCluskey
Andy McCluskey
George Andrew "Andy" McCluskey is the lead singer, bass guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ....
spends the entire video driving around in a classic red, convertible Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a 2+2 coupe and convertible marketed from 1955 to 1974 by Volkswagen – combining the chassis and mechanicals of the Type 1 , styling by Luigi Segre of the Italian carrozzeria Ghia, and hand-built bodywork by German coach-builder Karmann.The Karmann Ghia was...
, while Paul Humphreys is standing on a bridge while singing and leaning against the pillars of the bridge. The promo video is included on the video version of The Best of OMD
The Best of OMD
The Best of OMD is a compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1988. Despite the band's waning popularity both in the UK and abroad, it sold extremely well....
, the bonus DVD of the 2007 reissue of Architecture & Morality and the DVD included in the 2008 Compilation album Messages: Greatest Hits
Messages: Greatest Hits
Messages: Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and features the band's most successful songs accompanied by a DVD of all the bands' music videos....
.
Sleeve design
The sleeve was designed by Peter Saville and Brett WickensBrett Wickens
Brett Wickens , is a Canadian and British Creative Director living and working in the USA.Canadian-born Brett Wickens is a creative director and partner in the design studio Ammunition, which was named one of the top ten Most Innovative Companies in Design in 2011 by Fast Company magazine -- for...
. The 7" sleeve has a die-cut hole in the middle, revealing the label. On the label is a picture of a Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
street scene. For the 10" this picture is printed on the sleeve. It was the first single released with OMD as the band name. The European releases have different artwork, some almost identical to the UK releases. A Canadian release of the 10" has green transparent vinyl.
Remix versions
In May 1991 DMCDisco Mix Club
Disco Mix Club is a DJ remix service founded by Tony Prince which began as a radio show in 1981 on Radio Luxembourg in the UK. Prince helped popularise a new style of DJ mixes using the turntable as an instrument. DMC started operating as a remix service in 1983. They started producing remix...
released a 12" vinyl single with the Postcards from the Edge Mix by Brothers in Rhythm
Brothers in Rhythm
Brothers In Rhythm is a house music duo consisting of producers / remixers and DJs Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman. As a duo and individually, they have remixed and/or produced tracks by Lulu, M People, Secret Life, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Garbage,...
.
In 1998 four remixes of the song were made by Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
for the intended second disc of The OMD Singles
The OMD Singles
The OMD Singles is a singles compilation album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, released in 1998. It reached #16 in the UK charts. Originally, the compilation was to include a second disc of new remixes; however, this idea was abandoned due to budget limitations. The few remixes that were...
. The second disc was dropped, but the remixes appeared on various The OMD Remixes EPs. In 2003 the double disc version was released in France only, which included all four remixes of Souvenir.
The remixes are:
- Moby remix – 4:41
- Hard House version – 5:47
- 7 AM version – 6:47
- Me & Us remix – 11:32
Cover versions
Nino de AngeloNino de Angelo
Nino de Angelo is a German singer who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 with the song, "Flieger", written by Dieter Bohlen and Joachim Horn-Bernges....
recorded a German version of the song in 1982, titled Und ein Engel fliegt in die Nacht. The Genie Queen used the main melody of Souvenir in their 1995 song What a Girl Goes Through. Paul Humphreys' new band Onetwo
Onetwo (band)
Onetwo is a synth pop group formed in 2000 by singer Claudia Brücken and keyboardist/singer Paul Humphreys . Their collaboration had no name until 2004....
plays the song regularly at gigs in the style of the Moby remix. Polish singer Ania
Ania (singer)
Ania ; called also with her birthname: Ania Dąbrowska) is a Polish singer and composer, born January 7, 1981 in Chełm, Poland, performing a retro-inspired blend of pop and soul music. Her inspiration is Polish music of the 1960s as well as music of France. Ania rose to stardom in 2004 and most of...
recorded the song as a bonus to her debut album Samotność po zmierzchu in 2004. American singer-songwriter State Shirt
State Shirt
State Shirt is Ethan Tufts, an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Easthampton, Massachusetts. He is known for his hand-crafted, diverse and often unpredictable indietronic style, integrating live looping in both his recordings and live performances...
recorded a cover version of the song in 2010.
Track listings
7" single - UK DinDisc DIN 24A-side :
- "Souvenir" (Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper) – 3:39
B-side :
- "Motion & Heart" (Amazon Version) (P. Humphreys, Andy McCluskeyAndy McCluskeyGeorge Andrew "Andy" McCluskey is the lead singer, bass guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ....
) – 3:07 - "Sacred Heart" (P. Humphreys, A. McCluskey) – 3:30
10" single - UK DinDisc DIN 24-10
A-side :
- "Extended Souvenir" – 4:16
B-side :
- "Motion & Heart" (Amazon Version) – 3:07
- "Sacred Heart" – 3:30
Charts
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Kent Music Report Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... Singles Chart |
75 | |
| Belgian Singles Chart Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
13 | |
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Singles Chart |
6 | |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 29 | |
| German Singles Chart | 39 | |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
9 | |
| Portuguese Singles Chart | 1 | |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
3 | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... : Silver |